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Teller sues to protect his magical work of art

Raymond Joseph Teller filed a federal complaint against a Dutch entertainer, Gerard Dogge, who has allegedly misappropriated Teller’s “Shadows” routine, according to Courthouse News Service. Dogge has been offering to sell the secret of Teller’s “Shadows” performance to the highest bidder.

According to Teller’s complaint, Dogge has been performing the trick without permission. Teller first copyrighted the trick in 1983.

Before filing the complaint, Teller contacted Dogge by phone and offered an undisclosed amount of money in return for Dogge not revealing the details of his trick. The two were reportedly not able to reach an agreement. Dogge was offering to reveal the trick to anyone who paid him $3,050.

When Teller registered a copyright for his trick in 1983, he even included a detailed illustration explaining the details of the routine, during which he appears to clip the petals of a rose from a distance while interacting with the rose’s shadow.

Tip: Fark.com

Having seen Teller do this piece in person, I can tell you it is a beautiful thing, it’s art. Art can be copyrighted. It’s a creation. Someday, the copyright will expire and it will be revealed for all to try.

But it’s not only that someone tried to perform it for money without permission, he tried to sell the secret for cash. Dirty.

I found it endearing, and not unexpected, that Teller investigated it himself before the suit.